Amman, Nov. 26 (Petra) Director General of the Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA) Rana Obaidat stated that the Patient Access Program (PAP) is a global health initiative designed to enable patients to access high-cost, modern medications. The program provides treatments at subsidized prices or through free doses supplied directly by pharmaceutical companies, alongside various mechanisms coordinated with the JFDA.

In a statement Wednesday, Obaidat said the program supports efforts to improve healthcare quality in Jordan and reduce financial burdens for patients who might otherwise struggle to obtain these therapies. The initiative aligns with the country’s economic modernization strategy, which emphasizes enhancing access to healthcare services and improving their efficiency.

The program was officially launched in 2020 and is applied to new medications without available alternatives, biologics, cancer treatments, and medicines costing over 150 Jordanian dinars. Since its inception, PAP has helped patients obtain these medications from pharmacies at reduced prices, promoting equitable access to advanced therapies.

Obaidat emphasized that the program operates under mechanisms regularly reviewed by the JFDA to ensure optimal implementation and maximize patient benefit, ensuring its sustainability over the long term.

She added that positive results over past years demonstrate the program’s effectiveness in improving patient access to essential drugs at fair prices. Starting in 2026, efforts will focus on automating procedures and expanding coverage to include more chronic treatments, benefiting a larger number of Jordanian patients.

Obaidat highlighted that the Patient Access Program represents a key step in enhancing the healthcare system and fostering public-private partnerships, reflecting the health sector’s commitment to prioritizing patients while balancing the provision of advanced treatments with the sustainability of pharmacies and healthcare institutions across the kingdom.

//Petra// AF